Yantra Yoga, a Tibetan Buddhist system of movement and breathing exercises, bring the body/mind into balance and help achieve authentic relaxation--a preliminary to any meditative practice. Profusely illustrated with hundreds of line drawings, black and white photographs, and illustrations, Yantra Yoga presents Tibet's trulkhor yoga tradition as taught by one of its master exponents, Chogyal Namkhai Norbu.
Yantra Yoga's movements, exercises, and methods of concentration are all based on eighth-century text whose translation is included, illuminated by Chogyal Namkhai Norbu's commentary. Detailed charts for the timing of the breathing exercises are also included.

Chogyal Namkhai Norbu, on of the great living masters of Dzogchen and Tantra, started transmitting this profound Yoga in the seventies, and at that time wrote this commentary which is based on the oral explanations of some Tibetan yogins and siddhas of the twentieth century. All Western practitioners will benefit from the extraordinary instructions contained in this volume.

Contents: Yantra Yoga - The Tibetan Yoga of Movement

Foreword

1

Preface

3

Introduction to the Fundamentals of Yantra Yoga

9

THE UNION OF THE SUN AND MOON YANTRA by Vairocana

17

A STAINLESS MIRROR OF JEWELS, Commentary to The Union of the Sun and Moon Yantra by Chogyal Namkhai Norbu

35

PART ONE: The Preliminaries

41

The Yantra Equipment

43

Exhaling the Stale Air

43

THE PHYSICAL TRAINING

45

Tsigjong: Loosening the Joints

45

1. Tightening

46

2. Shaking

48

3. Pulling

52

4. Bending

56

5. Rotating

58

Lungsang: Purifying the Prana

61

1. Inhaling Slowly

62

2. Holding Open

64

3. Directing

66

4. Exhaling Quickly

68

5. Inhaling Quickly

70

6. Holding Closed

72

7. Contracting

74

8. Exhaling Slowly

76

Tsadul: Controlling the Channels

78

The Pranayama

78

The Yantras

79

1. Massaging

80

2. Extending the Ankles

82

3. Rotating the Arms

84

4. Closing the Armpits

86

5. Stretching

88

PART TWO: The Fundamental Series of Pranayamas and Yantras

91

THE FIVE SERIES OF PRANAYAMAS

94

First Series: The Four Characteristic Conditions

95

The Pranayama

95

The Yantras

97

1. The Camel

99

2. The Conch

107

3. The Flame

115

4. The Turtle

123

5. The Plough

131

Second Series: The Four Profound Applications

139

The Pranayama

139

The Yantras

148

1. The Snake

149

2. The Curved Knife

157

3. The Dagger

165

4. The Dog

173

5. The Spider

181

Third Series: The Secret Breathing for Directing the Prana into the Central Channel

189

The Pranayama

189

The Yantras

194

1. The Bow

195

2. The Half-Moon

203

3. The Lion

211

4. The Vulture

219

5. The Triangle

227

Fourth Series: The Smooth Breathing with Seven Limbs

235

The Pranayama

235

The Yantras

240

1. The Locust

241

2. The Dove

249

3. The Trident

257

4. The Tiger

265

5. The Jewel

273

Fifth Series: The Rough Breathing with Six Applications

281

The Pranayama

281

The Yantras

285

1. The Wheel

287

2. The Eagle

295

3. The Sword

303

4. The Frog

311

5. The Peacock

319

Summary of the Initial and Final Phases of the Yantras of the Five Series

327

THE ALL-INCLUSIVE METHOD OF THE SEVEN LOTUS POSES

331

1. The Flaming Lotus

334

2. The Arched Lotus

336

3. The Entwined Lotus

338

4. The Suspended Lotus

340

5. The Swinging Lotus

342

6. The Jumping Lotus

344

7. The Snaking Lotus

346

Summary of the Initial and Final Phases of the Yantras of the Seven Lotus Poses

348

THE SIGNS AND RESULTANT QUALITIES OF THE PRACTICE

351

1. The Resultant Qualities of the Three Secret Aspects

351

2. The Three Ripenings

352

3. The Obtainment of the Three Powers

353

PART THREE: The Concluding Sections

355

1. Overcoming Hindrances: The Vajra Wave

357

2. Final Advice

365

3. Conclusion

365

Dedication of Merit

365

Colophon

366

The Name of the Author

366

Appendix One: The Functions of the Five Pranas

369

Appendix Two: On the Cakras

370

Appendix Three: The Yantras Related to Various Aspects of Buddhist Practice